The middle slice of Oregon
It’s been a while since I got out into the deep backwoods. When I heard I’d be staying near Klamath Falls this summer I realized it was the perfect chance to strap into some back country, rather than taking the predictable I-5 on the way back. What I discovered, OF COURSE, was another dimension. One that only tickled my interest. I still had to skip over the majority... Read More
Tanner Goods on film
How many times have I watched this short film? The first time I was exposed to it I was standing in a small circle of friends huddling around a laptop. We were all silent for the full 7 minutes. Ryan Bush was standing behind us biting his nails. We applauded him immediately at the finish. But Mr. Bush had no reason to be nervous. He executed a great short film deliberately in... Read More
Edits Quarterly
Ian Coyle starts Chapter 2 this way: “The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one’s appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship.” – A. Earhart The quote on it’s own is stirring but coupling that with the realization that Earhart presumably died while pursuing... Read More
“The Tree of Life” review
“Tell us a story from before we can remember.” Terrence Malick as a director polarizes his viewers. There are hordes who would rather clean cat litter all night over sitting in a theater under the weight of one of his films. For the record I adore this mans work, and relish in the opportunity to enjoy his films on the big screen. It is a rare event, after all, since... Read More
The Labrador, a floating gallery
It would be hard to imagine something more awesome than an art gallery on a boat. We’re not talking about a yacht, a skiff, or a retail pleasure craft. Imagine a WWII Naval vessel, that after the war went up to Dutch Harbor, Alaska to join the crabbing fleets of the frigid Bering Sea. It’s 135 feet long and weighs 200 tons, and casts a long shadow on all the boats in... Read More
Public domain, white gold
Recently I was doing some digging and came across the largest public domain film archive I’ve ever imagined in my life. I was absolutely giddy when I realized that all the videos in the archive were simply a click away from being downloaded onto my machine, ready for the cutting board. There are a few tricks to learning the keyword system, but once you get comfortable understanding... Read More
The Answer, lightning equals life
It starts as just another rather unassuming Vimeo HD short film until you hear this man speak. Ray Winstone was in his yard in Hammersmith as a young man when he was struck by lightning. He survived, and this film literally explodes within his description of how incredible living is now that he’s been spared. It will knock your socks off, shoot through you, and infect your... Read More
Burning skaters, Dear Japan
I have this crazy fantasy in my head that we’re just energy trapped inside this body. The energy comes out but we could do whatever we want. I think like that because I do some crazy things sometimes. I don’t even understand. You just have to focus on something so hard and believe that it’s possible and it will happen. What I am so in love with is the voice-over... Read More
Descendant flowers + Whoopi
This is what full time work yields after 3 years of determination. An incredible story that is nothing short of remarkable. Director Heiko van der Scherm had the wherewithall to hire Whoopi Goldberg for this short film that chronicles a scene in the life of two flowers in a sunlit wood. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. I’d love to think that in the end... Read More
Tarantino vs Coen Brothers
Filmlist… Dir.: Joel and Ethan Coen: Blood Simple (1984) Raising Arizona (1987) Miller’s Crossing (1990) Barton Fink (1991) Fargo (1996) The Big Lebowski (1998) O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) No Country for Old Men (2007) Burn After Reading (2008) A Serious Man (2009) Dir.: Quentin Tarantino: Reservoir Dogs (1992) Pulp Fiction (1994) Jackie Brown (1997) Kill Bill:... Read More